Lighting:

Bright lights naturally draw attention, making your craft show booth stand out. Whether it's a booth or a table setup, adding extra lighting can significantly impact your display.

Even a simple task lamp directed at specific products can attract shoppers' attention. Focus on highlighting your bestsellers, showstoppers, or high-value items with strategic lighting.

Furthermore, lighting isn't just about visibility—it sets the ambience too. For instance, battery-powered candles can create a romantic or soothing atmosphere, depending on the products you're selling.

To infuse a festive vibe, consider using mini lights around a tabletop Christmas tree, especially fitting for a holiday-themed craft show.

While a well-lit craft show venue is preferable, if the lighting is limited, enhancing your display with additional lights can make a significant difference. Remember to confirm with event organizers about access to electricity and consider using battery-powered lighting to avoid any potential tripping hazards from electrical cords.

 

Colour:

Colour is key to attracting attention, stirring emotions, and narrating a tale (like using blue and beige for a "beach" vibe).

For a successful craft show display, using colour effectively is crucial. 

Usually, using fewer colours makes a stronger impact and helps create a cohesive display. 

However, employing a variety of colours can also work well. A display full of primary colours can be attention-grabbing and convey a whimsical story, ideal for children's products.

Alternatively, standing out can also mean using minimal colour. A setup with white walls, floors, tablecloths, props, and attire can naturally draw attention to your products, allowing them to speak for themselves.

​​​

Repetition:

Repetition is a must for every craft show display. It begins with your products—try to limit your selection and ensure elements are repeated within your products.

For instance, if your pieces are in earth tones and feature geometric shapes, maintaining consistency in colour and shape across all designs creates a cohesive look.

Apply repetition not only in your products but also in how you showcase them:

• Use colours from your products in props, signage, images, and tablecloths to create a cohesive theme.

• Display multiple instances of the same product, like setting up three bust forms, each displaying the same necklace in different stones.

• Repeat shapes within your display; for example, stack soap bars to form a pyramid and echo that shape using jars of cream and bottles of bubble bath.

• Using odd numbers for repetition—like 3, 5, or 7 instances—tends to be more visually pleasing and effective in creating a sense of harmony in your display.

 

Line & Composition:

Another technique vital for every display is line and composition, which directs a shopper's eyes around your booth or table intentionally.

This technique involves grabbing the shopper's attention initially, usually with a larger, brighter display at eye level or above. Then, it creates a visual path for the eye to move from one display element or product to the next.

Laying products flat on a table doesn't attract much attention or encourage sales. When everything is at the same level or arranged similarly, nothing stands out or guides shoppers on where to look next. This can make the display appear cluttered and overwhelming.

Mastering line and composition is key. When done right, it leads shoppers seamlessly around your display. 

A well-arranged display should have elements that naturally draw the eye. These act as "stop lights," directing shoppers to pause and look. 

Think about the flow of your craft show table too:

• Start with a showstopper at the front to attract shoppers.

• Lead them to the middle where they can explore and interact with items.

• Finally, guide them towards the "cash desk" area for transactions, also presenting smaller "add-on" items strategically, just like the checkout line at a grocery store where you end up grabbing a last-minute item.

 

 Scale:

Introduce larger-than-life elements or focal points that break the monotony and intrigue passersby. Oversized or attention-grabbing elements can be a magnet for attention.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money either…you’re crafty! Cardboard, foam, paper mache, etc. can all be used to create lightweight, oversized objects that can hang above your table with the use of fishing wire. It will catch the eye of shoppers as soon as they walk into the venue.

 

 Contrast:

Contrasting display elements can spotlight specific product features you want to emphasize. Consider this...

• Dark backgrounds stand out against light-coloured products.

• Rough textures in displays contrast the smooth finishes of products.

• Using larger elements alongside smaller ones can highlight delicate features.

• You can also contrast with the event's atmosphere. If it's busy and loud, creating a serene setting at your booth will make a noticeable contrast.

 HumoUr:

Humour is a great way to make shoppers feel relaxed and more likely to stick around and make a purchase.

You don't have to make shoppers burst into laughter; even a smile or a chuckle can make them feel at ease. When customers are comfortable, they're more inclined to buy.

Make sure your humour fits your brand and is easy to understand—keep it simple! It should also match the event's tone by being tasteful and not offensive.

 

Motion:

Movement among still products can grab a shopper's attention. But be careful—it shouldn't be a hazard or irritating (avoid strobe lights). Something that makes people stop and watch can be advantageous without being bothersome or risky. Perhaps a video of you creating your art.

​